($371+) Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC Movers
Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Columbia, SC, runs anywhere from $342 for a DIY rental-truck move of a small home up to $7,531 for full-service movers handling a larger 4 - 5 bedroom household. The two cities sit about 369 miles apart, and a move on this route usually takes 1 to 4 days door to door. Use our moving cost calculator to compare estimates and options for your specific move.
- Full-service moves for smaller spaces (studio apartments and 1-bedrooms) start around $1,141, while larger 4 - 5 bedroom relocations can reach $7,531 or more.
- Moving containers run $917 - $2,762, and renting a moving truck from Budget or U-Haul is the cheapest route at $342 - $952.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars) is our top recommendation for a move from Montgomery, AL, to Columbia, SC. They're known for transparent pricing, with 2-bedroom quotes starting around $1,833 on this route. They also throw in 30 days of free storage and have 24/7 customer support.
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Compare moving options from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
There are 3 main ways to move from Montgomery to Columbia: full-service movers, moving containers, and rental trucks. Full-service handles labor and transportation for you, with a 2-3 bedroom move on this route costing $1,833 - $5,400. Moving containers run about 30% less than full-service for the same home size, while rental trucks come in around 60% less, though both put loading on your shoulders. Plan on 1 to 4 days for this 369-mile route, depending on which option you go with.
Here is how full-service movers, moving containers, rental trucks, and freight trailers compare on the 369-mile route from Montgomery to Columbia, broken down by home size:
| Home size | Full-service movers | Moving container | Rental truck | Freight trailer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | $1,141 - $4,018 | $917 - $1,642 | $342 - $625 | $875 - $1,492 |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | $1,833 - $5,400 | $1,149 - $2,283 | $399 - $780 | $900 - $1,881 |
| 4+ bedrooms | $2,999 - $7,531 | $1,614 - $2,762 | $489 - $952 | $1,228 - $2,233 |
Pricing reflects moveBuddha's monthly dataset of 1,500+ live quotes across our vetted mover network. Last updated September 16, 2026.
Full-service moving costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
A full-service interstate moving company handles everything on the 369-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbia, South Carolina, with prices running from $1,141 - $7,531. Professional packing of all your boxes adds $247 - $1,644 if you want a fully hands-off experience. Shipment weight and the distance between Montgomery and Columbia are the two biggest drivers of your final price. Locally, Montgomery movers tend to run around $462 as a base rate plus $133/hour per mover, for comparison.
Here's a breakdown of full-service moving costs by home size from Montgomery to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $1,141 - $4,018
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,833 - $5,400
- 4+ bedrooms: $2,999 - $7,531
Packing, storage, shuttle fees, and added coverage can stack on top of the base price. See the full add-ons and specialty services table below for what each runs from Montgomery to Columbia.
The following are real quotes requested by moveBuddha readers in the past 90 days for moves from Alabama to South Carolina. Prices are based on 1,500+ monthly pricing data points collected across our network of vetted movers and updated monthly.
Pro tip: Avoiding peak moving season dates (May - September) is one of the easiest ways to reduce costs. Off-season moves typically come with lower pricing and more room to negotiate since movers have fewer bookings.
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Specialty moving services from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
Specialty needs vary by market — 100% of Montgomery movers offer storage-in-transit, compared to 85% nationally. In Columbia, 86% of movers offer the same service.
| Service | When you need it | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Full packing | Full crew packing100% of local movers | $411 - $4,110 |
| Storage in transit | New place not ready100% of local movers85% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $164 - $986/mo |
| Shuttle fee | Truck can't reach door | $247 - $1,973 |
| Full-value protection | More than $0.60/lb coverage60% of local movers | $300 - $600 (1% - 2% of value) |
| Small moves | Under ~2,000 lbs40% of local movers | $822 - $2,466 |
| Office / commercial | Workplace relocation | $2,055 - $8,220 |
| Car shipping | Second vehicle | $616 - $1,170 |
| Antiques & fine art | Fragile, high-value items60% of local movers46% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $822 - $2,055 |
| Piano | Any piano type80% of local movers71% nationallyTop pick: McCorquodale Transfer | $658 - $2,877 |
| Pool table | Disassembly & re-leveling80% of local movers | $247 - $1,233 |
| Hot tub | Heavy, needs disconnect40% of local movers22% nationallyTop pick: Motivated Movers, Inc. | $534 - $1,644 |
| Wine collection | Climate-controlled transport | $247 - $12,330+ |
| Pet relocation | Ground, air, or concierge | $247 - $2,877+ |
What are the best full-service movers from Montgomery to Columbia?
If you're vetting a mover on your own instead, membership in South Carolina Trucking Association is a good first thing to confirm.
- Safeway Moving (4.9/5 stars): Safeway Moving offers the best overall value on this route. Flat-rate pricing locks in your cost upfront, and 24/7 customer support is available throughout the move.
- American Van Lines (4.9/5 stars): American Van Lines is the most experienced mover on this list. Operating since 1995, AVL staffs every move with full-time in-house crews trained on antiques, art, and other high-value items.
- Allied Van Lines (4.2/5 stars): Allied Van Lines is best for contents coverage. As one of the largest van line networks in North America, Allied offers fragile-only packing, real-time shipment tracking, and an optional full-value protection plan.
How much do local movers cost in Montgomery, AL?
Based on recent quotes for this route, a 2-bedroom move from Montgomery to Columbia with a local mover averages $1,851 - $5,454. Shorter moves don't always call for a national van line, and local moving companies in Montgomery, AL often offer competitive pricing on nearby routes. Smaller crews and regional focus translate to lower overhead and more scheduling flexibility.
Just make sure they're properly licensed for interstate moves and equipped to handle the full distance.
Coleman Worldwide Moving (4.5/5 stars) is a local mover in Montgomery, based on our analysis of feedback from 60 customers, 63.3% of which is positive.
Address: 1285 Parker St, Montgomery, AL, 36108 | Founded: 1914
Moving container costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
Moving containers from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbia, South Carolina, cost between $917 and $2,762. You load everything on your own schedule (U-Haul gives you 3 days and PODS gives you 30). When you're ready, the company takes care of getting the container from point A to point B. Need more time than that? Extra storage in Montgomery typically runs around $70/month.
Take a look at moving container pricing by home size from Montgomery to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $917 - $1,642
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $1,149 - $2,283
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,614 - $2,762
What other costs come with moving containers?
- Moving labor: Because loading is on you with a container move, hourly labor help is a popular add-on. In Montgomery, AL, two movers for roughly five hours costs around $575, according to moveBuddha data. Compare the best labor-only movers nationwide
- Storage: After the first month, ongoing rental fees kick in. A small container (7 - 8 feet) averages about $62 per month, while a 12- to 16-foot unit runs around $123 per month.
- Access: Most major container companies serve both Montgomery, AL, and Columbia, SC, but confirm a facility is within reasonable distance if you need to retrieve items while in storage.
- Added contents protection: Full-value protection provides broader coverage than the standard liability in your contract. It typically costs 1% - 2% of your declared shipment value, about $500 - $1,000 on $50,000 worth of belongings.
Every price below reflects an actual quote from a moveBuddha reader planning a Alabama to South Carolina move in the past 90 days. Our pricing data is drawn from 1,500+ monthly data points across our vetted mover network and refreshed every month.
Pro tip: Before ordering moving containers, take a careful inventory of everything you're moving. A typical 1-bedroom home weighs around 3,000 pounds and fits in a single container starting at $917. Underestimating and needing 1 - 2 additional containers can push your total to $1,149 - $2,283, so getting your count right upfront saves you from a costly surprise.
What are the best moving containers Montgomery to Columbia?
- Units Moving and Portable Storage (4.3/5 stars)
- U-Pack (5.0/5 stars)
- MovingYourself (5.0/5 stars)
Want a hand without paying for full service? A container or truck move does not mean doing all the heavy lifting yourself. You can hire a labor-only crew in Montgomery to load and unload while you handle the drive, then book full help later if you change your mind. Three top-rated local crews for labor-only help in Montgomery:
- McCorquodale Transfer (5.0/5), 28 years in business
- Motivated Movers, Inc. (4.6/5), 19 years in business
- Admiral Movers (4.8/5), 37 years in business
Moving truck rental costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
A rental truck for this 369-mile move from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbia, South Carolina, costs between $342 and $952. The base rate covers the vehicle only; budget for:
- Fuel for the drive: $97 - $110
- Daily insurance: $25/day
- Equipment rentals: $6 - $16
- Montgomery daily rental rate: $19 - $39
- Per-mile fee beyond your free allowance: $0.59 - $0.79
| Home size | Typical truck size |
|---|---|
| Studio / 1 bedroom | 10 - 12 ft |
| 2 - 3 bedrooms | 15 - 17 ft |
| 4+ bedrooms | 20 - 26 ft (typically requires diesel) |
These are typical moving truck rental costs from Montgomery to Columbia based on home size:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $342 - $625
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $399 - $780
- 4+ bedrooms: $489 - $952
Pro tip: The base rate of $342 - $952 is just the starting point for a rental truck move from Montgomery to Columbia. Fuel ($97 - $110) , lodging at around $123/night, meals, and equipment rentals are all on top of that. Factor in an extra $600 - $1,200 to get a realistic picture of what the move will actually cost.
What other costs come with rental trucks?
- Gas: Fuel adds $97 - $110 for the 369-mile drive, depending on whether your rental truck runs on gas or diesel.
- Moving labor: You'll handle the heavy lifting unless you bring in help. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for about 5 hours typically costs around $575.
- Additional insurance: Supplemental damage protection adds roughly $30 per day to your rental cost.
- Lodging: The 369-mile drive typically calls for 2 - 3 overnight stops at around $123 per night, adding $247 - $370 in hotel costs total.
- Equipment: Dollies, furniture pads, and vehicle tow gear are almost always billed separately. These extras typically add between $41 and $247.
What are the best moving truck rentals from Montgomery to Columbia?
- Budget Truck Rental (4.3/5 stars)
- Penske Truck Rental (4.0/5 stars)
- U-Haul Truck Rental (4.2/5 stars)
The best truck rental companies for this route, based on moveBuddha's ratings.
Freight trailer costs from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC
Freight trailers are a good fit for medium-to-large moves where you need more space than a container but don't want to drive a rental truck from Montgomery, Alabama, to Columbia, South Carolina. The trailer is delivered to your address, you load it, and the carrier takes it the rest of the way.
Unlike truck rentals with flat rates, freight trailers scale with your shipment. Every additional section of trailer space you fill increases your total. Most long-distance moves using this method run roughly between $900 and $1,881.
Take a look at freight trailer costs based on home size for moves from Montgomery to Columbia:
- Studio apartment / 1 bedroom: $875 - $1,492
- 2 - 3 bedrooms: $900 - $1,881
- 4+ bedrooms: $1,228 - $2,233
Pro tip: Freight trailers come with a 4-foot loading ramp, which can be a challenge with bulky furniture. With 8 feet of vertical space available, stacking efficiently often requires a ladder and a plan. Since you're billed per linear foot, packing tight can make a real difference in your final cost.
What other costs come with freight trailers?
- Seasonal demand: Pricing tends to rise during peak moving season, particularly between mid-May and mid-September.
- Moving labor: Most customers hire loading help since freight is self-loaded. Two movers in Montgomery, Alabama, for roughly 5 hours typically costs $575.
- More space: Freight companies bill by linear footage. If your belongings take up more room than anticipated, the extra space adds between $62 and $123 per foot.
What are the best freight companies from Montgomery to Columbia?
- MovingYourself (5/5 stars): MovingYourself is our pick for best for large moves. The company is best known as a top moving container option for its hybrid model where you load and they drive, and that same model translates well to freight thanks to their 53-foot trucks and pay-by-the-foot pricing.
- U-Pack (5/5 stars): U-Pack offers the best value freight trailer on this route. Beyond their flagship container service, U-Pack also runs freight trailers with the same no-deposit, no-upfront-fee model, charging only for the linear footage you actually fill.
- MAF Expedited Bhm Express (4/5 stars): MAF Expedited Bhm Express is our pick for best locally owned freight company. Their locally owned and operated facilities mean you work with support staff who know the route and the area, giving you more responsive scheduling than national-only carriers typically offer.
Pro tip: Freight trailers move fast, making them one of the quickest ways to get your belongings from Montgomery to Columbia. If you have a hard move-in date and want your stuff there as soon as possible, freight is hard to beat. It's worth noting that freight works best when you're ready to receive your delivery, so if your move-in date is still up in the air or you'll need short-term storage, a moving container is likely the more practical choice.
Cost of living: Montgomery, AL vs Columbia, SC
Day-to-day costs in Columbia are close to what you're used to in Montgomery: cost of living index of 87 versus 79, with average rent of $1,447/mo compared to $1,200/mo. Housing, income, and taxes are all in a similar range, so budgeting for this move mostly comes down to the moving costs above rather than a shift in your monthly expenses. Walkability and safety scores are close too, at 26/100 and 34.75/100 in Montgomery versus 35/100 and 48.39/100 in Columbia.
Moving the reverse route? We've got you covered with our Columbia, SC to Montgomery, AL guide.
Why you should use moveBuddha to find a mover:
In the past 3 months, we've processed 10 real quotes from Alabama to South Carolina, so our pricing data stays current. Use our moving cost calculator before you talk to movers to avoid low-ball or inflated estimates and spot bad actors early. We track 46 movers licensed in Alabama, useful context for sizing up this 369-mile move.
Our take
For a move from Montgomery, AL, to Columbia, SC, full-service movers are the most hands-off option, with costs ranging from $1,141 for a studio to $7,531 for a 4 - 5 bedroom home on the 369-mile route. If you want to cut costs without doing everything yourself, moving containers from PODS or U-Pack run $917 - $2,762. A rental truck from Budget or U-Haul is the lowest-cost option at $342 - $952, though you'll be handling the driving and loading yourself. Safeway Moving is our top overall pick for full-service moves, with quotes starting around $1,833 for a 2-bedroom move, 30 days of free storage included, and 24/7 live customer support.
Worth knowing beyond the move itself: Major employers in the area include Pure Fishing and LexiCode.
FAQs: Moving from Montgomery, AL, to Columbia, SC
How much does it cost to move from Montgomery, AL to Columbia, SC?
Costs on this route range from around $1,141 to $7,531, depending on your home size and which service you choose. Full-service movers typically fall between $1,141 and $7,531, while DIY options like rental trucks and containers come in lower. Moving during peak season (May - September) tends to push prices higher across the board.
What size moving truck do I need for this route?
Rental trucks generally range from 10 to 26 feet. A 15- to 17-foot truck covers most 2-bedroom moves, while a smaller 10- to 12-foot truck works for a studio or 1-bedroom. Homes with 3 or more bedrooms usually need a 20- to 26-foot truck, and anything that size typically runs on diesel rather than gas.
What do local movers charge in Montgomery?
Local movers based in Montgomery typically start around $462 as a base rate, plus $133/hour per mover. That's a useful baseline if you're hiring help just to load a rental truck or container rather than booking a full long-distance move. Rates in Columbia run similarly and are worth checking if you need help unloading on the other end.
How do I know a mover is licensed in South Carolina?
To promote safety, economic development, and ethical business practices, the South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) oversees movers in the state. They are responsible for inspecting, examining, and auditing public utility providers like movers.
What are the best neighborhoods in Columbia?
For families, Irmo, Forest Acres, and Lexington are worth a look in Columbia. If you're moving solo or without kids, Cayce, Seven Oaks, and Forest Acres tend to be popular picks instead.
What percentage of Montgomery movers handle specialty items like pianos or antiques?
About 80% of movers in Montgomery handle piano moves, and 60% handle antiques and fine art, compared to 71% and 46% nationally.
